KISS postpone tour as Gene Simmons tests positive for COVID-19

Watch: KISS have had to cancel four shows after Gene Simmons caught COVID-19

KISS have cancelled four tour dates after bassist and singer Gene Simmons tested positive for COVID-19.

The American rock band had already missed a live show in Pennsylvania last week after frontman Paul Stanley contracted the disease.

Simmons, 72, who is an avid supporter of the COVID vaccination programme in the US, is said to be "experiencing mild symptoms".

The band said in a statement: "KISS will postpone their next four tour dates. While Paul Stanley recently tweeted that he has recovered from COVID, Gene Simmons has now tested positive and is experiencing mild symptoms.

"The band and crew will remain at home and isolate for the next 10 days and doctors have indicated the tour should be able to resume on September 9th at FivePoint Amphitheatre in Irvine, CA. All previously purchased tickets will be honoured for the new dates once announced. More information will be emailed to ticketholders directly."

Read more: KISS star Paul Stanley on speaking out about masks

Stanley, 69, had tweeted over the weekend to update fans that he was feeling better, saying: "Some really rough days behind and hopefully just a few more ahead. Then... I'M COMIN' OUT THERE TO SEE YOU!!!!"

But he later added: "My COVID symptoms were MILD compared to many others and let me tell you... It kicked my ass. It's over now."

Simmons responded to a Twitter user who asked him why he had chose COVID vaccination as a cause to champion.

The I Was Made For Lovin' You rocker replied: "Well Blockchain or whatever your name is, worldwide Covid infection is 218 million. That’s 200,000,000 individual human beings. Besides the ones who have sadly passed on, the rest suffer with excruciating pain, some with tubes down their throats and so on…That’s why, Genius."

The four concerts that have been cancelled are in Michigan, Ohio, Illinois and Wisconsin.

The tour, titled The Final Tour Ever: End Of The Road, is due to continue around the US until early October before the band play the KISS Kruise in Miami on 29 October, followed by a 12 night Las Vegas residency at the Zappos Theatre starting on 29 December.

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The band are then scheduled to take the tour to various countries around the world until July 2022.

Watch: KISS cancels show after Paul Stanley tests positive for COVID-19